Hi friends,

Long story short- I might have the opportunity to head up to the BWCA area for a quick solo weekend trip (Oct 2 weekend). I am looking for a super easy trip not in blowdown or fire areas where I can just put in and maybe find a spot on the first lake itself with good fishing for this time of year. Perhaps a short portage would be okay but it will be super quiet up there this time of year so I don't have to go far. I have been solo BWCA tripping for many years so I have a few ideas but am always welcoming other options. I know permits will no longer be required so it's all open, thanks!!

I like Sawbill for October weekend trips for the reasons that you stated. But, because of those reasons it can be busy even though it’s October. I’ve done Sawbill 3 times in October. Once when the weather was unseasonably warm it was packed, average temperatures it was moderately busy, and horrible weather we were pretty much alone. Its a weekend warrior place as the two times it was busy (Friday and Saturday) it was quiet by Sunday afternoon and Monday morning when we left there were a fraction of the cars as compared to Friday in the lot.

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Hi friends,

Long story short- I might have the opportunity to head up to the BWCA area for a quick solo weekend trip (Oct 2 weekend). I am looking for a super easy trip not in blowdown or fire areas where I can just put in and maybe find a spot on the first lake itself with good fishing for this time of year. Perhaps a short portage would be okay but it will be super quiet up there this time of year so I don't have to go far. I have been solo BWCA tripping for many years so I have a few ideas but am always welcoming other options. I know permits will no longer be required so it's all open, thanks!!

"

Couple ideas for you based on what kind of fish you want to go for:

Pike: Mudro lake entry with three super short portages into Jackfish Bay on Basswood Lake
Walleye: Ojibiway lake entry with an 8-rod portage into Triangle Lake.
Smallmouth/Lake Trout: Snowbank Lake but could be windy and you risk being blown off the lake for a day of your trip.

All Around Pick: Lake One to Lake Three will probably allow you to touch a quality pike, smallmouth, and Walleye within two days or so. I would also expect it to be a lot quieter this time of year which will be a change of pace from the "Aluminum Highway" it usually is with all of the canoes you will see through there.

Sawbill is my October go-to. Predicted overnight temps for this weekend just plummeted so I think it will be keep the casuals away, but who knows. This weekend is usually the weekend where a lot of the outfitter employees get their trips in for the year.

I'll be headed in there Friday for a couple nights, might even just stay on Sawbill. There's pretty decent Walleye fishing on the North end of the lake. Otherwise, I like to get over into Alton on the West end so I can see the foggy sunrise.

This will be a different suggestion, but go in EP40 (Homer Lake) and take the paddle and 2 short portages to Vern. The Walleye and Pike action are great there this time of the year. The campsite on the West side is decent. Not a lot of people go this way so it will be isolated.
I do echo Sawbill if you want a few more people, fishing is great this time of year.

Maybe try one of the tough to come permit entrys like Little Gabbro?